Role of the parents

The environment that the child is brought up in has a massive influence on who they become. Parents are the single biggest influence in this, and therefore coaches should value them and the positive role that they can play in developing the young player. Below are a few suggestions that parents can adopt to assist the coaches in developing their children in rugby. Coaches should discuss these suggestions with the parents when possible.

Before your child’s match / training session:

• Help your child to get their kit ready - it is their responsibility, not yours, but they need to learn how to do this
• Provide an environment where you praise effort and reinforce commitment - a young player choosing to do something will, if praised, seek to do something well if they enjoy it. This is the basis for developing commitment in players
• Help your child to fuel correctly - a balanced diet is as important to their health as it is to a successful training session
• Ask your child if they have packed their water bottle - the best way to get players drinking enough is to have a drink available to them at all times. Educate your child to take responsibility for this important piece of kit!
• Help your child to get enough rest
• Help your child go to play and practice in a positive frame of mind.

During your child’s match / training session:

• Provide praise for the effort your child has given and the processes they went through to get there. Praising effort encourages the child to work harder, focusing on ability encourages the child to carry on doing what they currently do!
• Provide them with unconditional support and encouragement
• Identify with the child the things that they can learn from this match / practice and use this to help them improve
• Engage with the coach to identify things that you can encourage your child to practice away from the rugby club.

After your child’s match / training:

• Provide praise for the effort your child has given and the processes they went through to get there. Praising effort encourages the child to work harder, focusing on ability encourages the child to carry on doing what they currently do!
• Provide them with unconditional support and encouragement
• Identify with the child the things that they can learn from this match / practice and use this to help them improve
• Engage with the coach to identify things that you can encourage your child to practice away from the rugby club.